Introducing the latest from budget smart home company Wyze – the Wyze Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Router and the Wyze Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router Pro. But what makes these routers stand out? Let's dive in!
Introducing the latest from budget smart home company Wyze – the Wyze Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Router and the Wyze Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router Pro. But what makes these routers stand out? Let's dive in!
What sets the Wyze Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router Pro is the support for the Wi-Fi 6E standard. Now, I know what you're thinking – what does that even mean? Basically, it allows Wi-Fi 6E-enabled devices to connect on the 6 GHz frequency band, which is less crowded and thus can lead to faster and more stable connections.
While the Wyze Mesh Router Pro may not have the identical specs as more expensive models, it still packs a punch. Each router has one 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port and one 1 Gbps Ethernet port, and can connect to over 75 devices, covering 2,000 square feet (ca. 186 m²). When compared to competitors, such as the TP-Link Deco XE75, the coverage area is slightly smaller. Wyze also makes a lower promise about the number of devices that can be connected, but it's still a solid option for anyone looking for an affordable and reliable router.
But here's the really exciting part: The starting price of the Wyze Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router Pro is just US$273.99 (plus shipping) for two devices, which is a steal when compared to other Wi-Fi 6E-compatible mesh routers on the market, such as Google's Nest Wifi Pro or Eero's Pro 6E.
If you are looking to upgrade your internet speed to lightning-fast levels, there's one important thing to consider. Both your router and the device you're connecting to it need to support Wi-Fi 6E for you to fully experience the benefits. Don't worry though, most modern mid-range to high-end smartphones and laptops will support Wi-Fi 6E, so you're likely good to go. The following list includes a selection of Wi-Fi 6E-compatible smartphones:
Attention Apple users! If you're hoping to experience the lightning-fast speeds that Wi-Fi 6E has to offer, there's a catch. Currently, no iPhone supports the latest Wi-Fi standard, which means you won't be able to take full advantage of the added 6 GHz band. However, there are a few Apple laptops, tablets, and computers that do support Wi-Fi 6E:
At the heart of the Wyze Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router Pro is the powerful Qualcomm Immersive Home 316 Platform! This platform packs a punch with two ARM Cortex-A53 cores, 1 GB of RAM, and 128 MB of flash storage. And here's a fun fact – it's the same platform that powers two other popular mesh systems: the Google Nest Wifi Pro and eero Pro 6E.
If you are looking for a sleek, stylish Wi-Fi router to complement your home decor, You might want to skip the Wyze Wi-Fi 6E Mesh Router Pro. Why? It's only available in black, which could be a deal-breaker for some shoppers. While many other popular mesh systems, such as those from Google, Amazon, TP-Link, and Asus, come in white, Wyze has gone against the grain and opted for black. To make matters more confusing, the weaker Wyze Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Router comes in white. It's a head-scratcher for sure, but perhaps the colour of your router is a small price to pay for fast, reliable internet.
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, the non-Pro Wyze Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Router starts at just US$93.99 (plus shipping) for a single router or US$173.99 for a two-pack. Keep in mind, though, that this model drops the wireless standard to Wi-Fi 6 and doesn't have the speedy 2.5Gbps Ethernet port found on the Pro. Coverage also drops to 1,500 square feet (ca. 139 m²) per router, and the number of devices you can connect to each router drops from over 75 to over 50.
If you aren't a smart home enthusiast like most of our readers, you are unlikely to eclipse 50 devices, and the speed provided by Wi-Fi 6 is more than enough to stream films and TV shows without buffering.
What will also suit many is the design of the Wyze Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Router: it's white instead of black. This will let it blend in and, in most scenarios, won't be as noticeable as the Pro model. Both the Pro and non-Pro models get by without any external antennas, giving them a more streamlined designed when compared to traditional Wi-Fi access points.
Both routers are equipped with advanced security software by Firedome, which keeps all your devices safe from the most dangerous online security threats. Firedome's endpoint protection acts like a security guard for your smart home, protecting everything from your laptop to your smart TV. With this protection on your side, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your online activities are safe and secure. So, whether you're working from home or binge-watching your favourite show, you can rest easy knowing the Wyze Mesh Routers have your back.
The Wyze app can integrate both models and allows you to keep tabs on your home network. In the app, you get daily status reports to stay up-to-date on the health of your network, including the status of each router and the identity of every connected device. That means you can quickly see which devices are connected and how they're connected, all from the convenience of your phone.
But that's not all – you can group your devices, name them, and manage their access to ensure that your smart home is working exactly how you want it to. And when it comes to guests, creating a separate network is a breeze with Wyze. You can easily create, manage, and share a guest network with your friends and family, giving them internet access without giving them access to your personal devices. With the Wyze app, you control your network. So sit back, relax, and enjoy a seamlessly connected smart home that's just a few taps away.
Unfortunately, it isn't all good news when it comes to the things the two models have in common. One feature both are missing is the ability to act as a Thread border router. Another area that could become a weak point at some point in the future is the size of the flash storage. Both the Nest Wifi Pro and eero Pro 6E have 4 GB, which will be enough for any firmware updates, whereas the Wyze models only have 128 MB.